Food items Nigerians are not allowed to bring to the UK
Food is a big part of Nigerian culture, and many travelers love to bring their favorite local delicacies when visiting the UK.
However, strict import rules mean that not all foods are allowed into the country. Understanding these restrictions can help you avoid trouble at the airport and prevent the disappointment of having your food confiscated.
The UK enforces these regulations to protect public health, prevent the spread of diseases, and maintain agricultural safety.
If you’re planning a trip from Nigeria to the UK, here’s a guide to the foods you cannot bring along and the alternatives that might be permitted.
Restricted Foods Nigerians Cannot Bring to the UK
Meat and Dairy Products
Travelers from Nigeria cannot bring any meat or dairy products into the UK due to strict regulations aimed at preventing diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Prohibited items include:
Raw, cooked, or processed meats, including beef, goat, chicken, and suya (spiced grilled meat).
Dairy products, including milk, cheese, butter, and yogurts.
Traditional Nigerian meat-based dishes, such as kilishi (dried spicy beef) and nkwobi (cow foot in spicy sauce).
Meat-filled pastries and pies, such as meat pie and sausage rolls.
Fish and Seafood Products
While small quantities of fish and seafood are allowed, they must be fully processed, packaged, and free from contamination. However, restrictions apply to:
Fresh or raw fish unless gutted and cleaned.
Smoked or dried fish, if not commercially packaged.
Crayfish and prawns that are not processed and packaged to meet UK health standards.
Stockfish (dried cod), a popular Nigerian delicacy, unless it meets import certification requirements.
Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, and Seeds
Bringing in fresh plant-based foods is strictly regulated to prevent the introduction of pests and plant diseases. Prohibited items include:
Fresh fruits such as mangoes, oranges, and pawpaw (papaya) unless they meet phytosanitary certification standards.
Fresh vegetables, including ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), bitter leaves, and scent leaves.
Raw or unprocessed nuts and seeds, such as groundnuts (peanuts) and melon seeds (egusi), unless commercially packaged and processed.
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